The third round of the 2017 McGrady Insurance ANICC Junior 1000 Rally Challenge Ireland, in association with www.rallysales.eu took place at Kirkistown for the North Armagh Motor Club's Pacenotes Stages event. Just three Junior 1000 crews lined up for the six stage event, as Rory Byrne was unable to make it to this round, but the enthusiasm was still there as the 14-17 year old rally stars of the future took to the mixed surface stages for their second visit to the County Down race-circuit.

15 year old Sam Adams from Armoy led the point's race into round three and started at number one, feeling confident after his victory on the New Year Stages event last month. Indeed the event started well for the Skoda Citigo driver, with two fastest times opening up a second advantage before first service. It was a pattern that continued through stages three and four, despite getting some tyres stuck under the car on the fourth test after cutting a corner too tight. On this event Sam was starting to really push and carry more speed as he continues his Junior rallying learning curve, before attempting some UK Junior rallies this season.

Peter Beaton and co-driver Kenny Foggo once again made their long trip from Nairn near Inverness in Scotland. 15 year old Peter in his Peugeot 107 once again was going to be the big challenger, and had clean runs on the opening tests, despite a lack of traction out of the tight turns. The Scottish crew however were a little frustrated to be losing chunks of time to Sam, but they looked set for a secure second and championship points. However cruelly on the final stage they broke a drive-shaft and retired.

14 year old Marcus McElwee is the youngest driver with the low budget Nissan Micra. The Magherafelt teenager with John Henderson alongside had a spin on stage one, losing over thirty seconds, and was improving his pace all day, but wasn't set to challenge the leaders. His eventual second place however has also moved him up to third in the point's standings. The day belonged to Sam Adams taking his second Junior 1000 victory. "Another great event, very much enjoyed the lay-out and the fast corners. Everything went well and thanks to the organisers for staging the event. It would be great if we could get more Junior's onto the starting line" said Sam before he sprayed a bottle of Shloer at the finish! Round four heads for Bishopscourt for the Ballynahinch Motor Club's event on 11th March.

Jonny Greer and Brian Crawford in their Citroen DS3 R5 took a superb victory on the Pacenotes Stages Rally, held at Kirkistown race-circuit round one of the MSA ANICC McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship on Saturday. The Carryduff driver in his DGM Sport machine was fastest on the opening two tests, but the Citroen trundled into service worryingly on two cylinders after stage two. The fault was traced to a simple wire, and with the DS3 back to full health, fastest times on the final three tests sealed a thirteen second victory. "We had a great day, really enjoyed the rally and delighted to get the win" said Jonny at the event prize-giving. "Thanks to everyone who made it possible. Brian Crawford for keeping me right all day, the team for a great car again also to the North Armagh Motor Club and all the marshals and volunteers for a brilliant event!"

Seven times NI Rally Champion- Derek McGarrity in an R5 Ford Fiesta took second place, but was lucky to even make the start! "A seal went yesterday (Friday) at lunch-time in the turbo and the car was pluming out expensive smoke! The team worked frantically until 1am this morning to get us here. In that respect too I'm more than happy with second. The R5 car is a nice car, and I like it but I do have a WRC version coming in soon." In third for the second year in a row was Peader Hurson in his new Ford Fiesta WRC. The former Irish National Champion's only drama was a spin on the second stage which dropped him to lower reaches of the top ten, before clawing back to third. A fine fourth in his S10 Impreza was Robin Phillips with his daughter Laura in the co-driver's seat. The Saintfield driver was a NI Champion back in 2000. Another former champion- Conor McCloskey was holding third place after four stages in his Fiesta WRC only for engine failure to halt the Kilrea driver on stage five.

Fifth was rally car trader Kieron Graffin in another DS3 R5, with Alan Carmichael in the Mini WRC sixth after a steady start. Alan is planning a full attack on the championship, and at Kirkistown finished ahead of three times NI Champion Kenny McKinstry in his S8 Impreza WRC. In eighth and winning Group N were names Allen and Connolly. Back in 2007 the late Glenn Allen won the series with Damien Connolly alongside in his WRC Corolla. Now his son Philip made a sensational rally debut with Damien's brother-Martin along-side, and the new Allen team complete with the support of Philip's grandmother Vera had much to celebrate!

Two wheel drive winner in a fine ninth overall was Keith White with Paul Mulholland in the 2.5 Millington MK1 Escort, another great performance by the Crumlin driver. Tenth and just four seconds behind was an amazing achievement for Dessie McCartney. Taming his 2.5 Millington engined Darrian, the 1975 Galway and 1980 Ulster Rally winner, now into his 70's has carried on the McCartney rallying dynasty, so famous in the 70's and 80's when Dessie and his late brother Ronnie competed at the top level in the UK and Ireland. Third two wheel drive car home was the 1600cc Peugeot 208 R2 driven by Kyle White in thirteenth overall, whilst the top three in Group N was completed by Evo's of Clive Kilpatrick and Geoff McMahon.